"Praise and Awe!"
While we have three Psalms to look at, Psalm 8 will be a focus. It is awe inspiring and will offer some great opportunity for discussion and thought.
When is the last time you experienced the emotion of "awe"? It's not something we talk about very often. Is there an emoji for "awe"? What would it look like. Awe may be experienced at the birth of a baby, the sighting of a tornado, or standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon.
Psalm 8 expresses the important feeling of "awe" relative to looking up into outer space and thinking about it. Where did it all come from? Where does it end? How many stars are up there? What keeps them there?
Awe makes us feel small and weak and amazed. Awe humbles us. The experience puts us in our place and gives new perspective on what is important. While David looked at the heavens from earth, now we have the ability to look at the earth from the heavens! Astronauts that have been able to see earth from outer space experience something called the "Overview Effect" - a transformative experience that gives new perspective by seeing it from a different angle.
Tonight, we will worship and stand in awe of the Creator, and the fact that we have a very special place in the Universe. The God who created the massive and boundless cosmos also attends to the unique inhabitants of planet earth. He numbers the hairs on our head. Maybe you need to join us for pizza and a side order of "awe". If your worship is dry and you life is anxious, then......
....VIEW AND SEE!
Steve
Psalms 7-8
January 26, 2022 • Pastor Steve Feden • Psalm 7, Psalm 8
Psalm 1
January 9, 2022 • Pastor Steve Feden • Psalm 1
"How to Find Happiness" We will open our Bibles to Psalm 1, which is familiar territory for many of God's people. Psalm 1 will serve as our intro to our year-long study of the Book of Psalms which will be on Wed nights, starting Jan 12. But for now..... Psalm 1 is simple, clear, and makes no demands. Instead, the Psalmist present two choices and urges the reader to make a decision based on what is presented. The big question is, what kind of life do you want to live? The Declaration of Independence guarantees people of America the right to pursue happiness. Donald Trump promised to "Make America Great Again", but couldn't make Americans happy again. In terms of national "happiness", people from Finland topped the 2018 survey, with Norway, Denmark, Iceland, and Switzerland rounding out the top 5. Those are some cold yet happy people! Brrrr. What about America? A humble 18th place and dropping each year. Regardless of national happiness, and how that is determined, the opening statement of Psalm 1 is "Oh how happy is the man......". And the Psalm goes on to describe the life of a happy man and compare his [or her] life to the opposite. Throughout the Psalm we will see some themes repeated from our recent study of Philippians while asking the questions, "Am I happy?", and "Who is responsible for my happiness?" This is a simple and great Psalm that may help get things on track for 2022. Lord knows, we need it! View and See.....!!!
Psalms 2-3
January 12, 2022 • Pastor Steve Feden • Psalm 2, Psalm 3
"The Heart of Worship" Tonight, after an intro to the Psalms and a little fun, we will start the ball rolling with Psalms 2 and 3. Psalm 2 is quoted a number of times in the NT, and could be title "Rebellion is No Joke". If you have ever thought to yourself, "What's the deal with the world? Why are people so set against Jesus?", then Psalm 2 is for you. I have often taught from Psalm 2 at Megiddo in Israel, just above the Valley of Armageddon. Wanna know why? You will understand after tonight! Psalm 3-5 seem to all be connected together and to an event in the life of King David. A very tough time when his Son Absalom "stole the hearts of the people of Israel". His leadership was undermined by his own good-looking, charismatic, and somewhat bitter son. How does he handle it all as his approval ratings plummet and he is forced off the throne. He is a laughingstock whom people are gossiping about. How would you feel? How would you handle it. The Psalms are full of raw emotion and heart. I believe the fruit of our study will be a return to the heart of worship. May God put a song in our hearts! If your life is dry, and your praise is flat, and you need Psalm-thing to sing about, then..... http://....view AND SEE! Steve